When my mechanic told me that my tire tread had worn down and that it was time for me to get new tires, I grimaced inside. Although I knew that safe tires are important, I was aching for my savings account since a full set can cost upward of $400! I did not buy the tires right away; being a frugal consumer, I wanted to shop around for tire deals. I also wanted to check my tires’ tread for myself.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that the tire tread be at least 2/32 of an inch. An easy way to determine tire tread is with the penny test: stick a penny in between the tire’s tread, with Abraham Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, then your tread is worn out. Sure enough, I could see his entire head, and had to face the truth– I had to fork over the money for new tires.
Proper tire maintenance is especially important in the colder winter months. When you’re driving in slippery and wet driving conditions, you want to make certain that your car can grip the road. In addition to proper tread, you should also check the tire pressure each month. I keep a tire gauge in my car; it might help if I used it sometimes. Properly inflated tires will help your tires last longer and improve your car’s fuel economy by 3%. You should also rotate your tires every 5,000 miles so that they have even wear over the life of the tire.
Do you have any other tips for keeping your tires in good condition?